IMPHAL, Jan 16: Illegal taxes collected by various undergroudn organisation from Manipur exceed the financial packages of the Central government meant for the development of the state, said MLA RK Anand today during the 3rd foundation day of Leimarol Shinnai Self Help Group held at ECLIPSE Community Hall, Monsangei, Imphal.
RK Anand further maintained that the wrong policies of the state government have deteriorated the socio-economic conditions of the people.
Lack of work culture and proper utilization of resources are major factors for backwardness of the state. The bureaucrats and technocrats should devote their time and energy in exploring and utilizing the resources of the state for optimum development rather than siphoning funds meant for development, he noted.
Anand also stated that increasing dependency of the state government towards the Centre for more funds has discouraged the people of the state who desire to be self-reliant in their economy.
The formation of self-help groups is not only for the upliftment of the state’s economy but it is also for the empowerment of women. The advent of “Look East Policy†and free market policies will obviously revolutionize the economy of the state and hence new technologies in production and marketing should be utilized by the self-help groups, added Anand.
The people of Manipur should also keep an eye on global market apart from sports and art and culture which are known world wide. The indigenous products of the state should also be made exportable to other countries rather than occupying only in the local markets, he said.
The additional chief engineer of CADA, K. Manoranjan stated that people who desire to make easy money through foul means have sprung up in large numbers in the society and as a result the present Manipuri society is degrading at a fast pace.
The urge for easy money-making has misguided many people including women. There are instances of women getting involved in illegal activities for the sake of making money easily rather than putting labour in productive activities such as establishment of self-help groups and other enterprises.
The members of self-help groups should be sincere in their works by utilizing the loan or grant from the banks properly and make up a good habit for loan repayment, he averred.
The foundation day was also attended by Dr. N. Ibohal, consultant of sericulture department, Dr. Sanasam Ingotombi, retired reader of DMC Science, and members of Leimarol Shinnai SHG.
